Author Notes: A while ago Food & Wine published a wonderful recipe for Apricot-Tarragon Cookies, by Dorie Greenspan (http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/apricot-tarragon-cocktail-cookies). It made me think of all other combinations of dried fruits and herbs. Date and rosemary, fig and rosemary, cranberry and rosemary, pineapple and lemon verbena, mango and lemon thyme, just to name a few possibilities -- all magnificent, due to the ingeniousness of Dorie's basic recipe. Fig and rosemary was the winner among the family and friends, and became our staple cookies. They are our favorite addition to a cocktail party, and a perfect ending to a perfect dinner, when chocolate cake would be a bit too much, when one needs just a touch of sweetness, a tiny piece of cheese and a sip of port to toast to the ending of a wonderful meal.

p.s. The cookies are yummy straight out of the oven, even yummier when they cool down, and the yummiest if you wait for a day. - QueenSashy

Food52 Review: WHO: QueenSashy is a scientist who lives in New York City.
WHAT: A versatile, barely-sweet cookie we'll be baking up for parties to come.
HOW: Make an easy dough, chill, bake, eat.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Cocktail party season is rife with rich dishes, but this lightly sweet, semi-savory cookie is a welcome, refreshing change. Add in a forgiving dough that takes well to freezing ahead of time, and we're smitten. - The Editors

Makes about 40 cookies

1/2cup dried Black Mission figs

2tablespoons finely chopped rosemary leaves

1/2cup Demerara or Turbinado sugar (I often use Sugar in the Raw)

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 large egg yolk

1/3cup extra-virgin olive oil

1teaspoon salt

2cups all-purpose flour

In a bowl cover the figs with warm water. Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are plump. Drain completely and dry with a paper towel. Chop the figs into small pieces.

In a different bowl, rub the rosemary leaves into the sugar.

In a mixer fitted with paddle, beat the butter with the rosemary sugar until creamy. Beat in the egg yolk. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and beat until smooth. Add the salt and flour and beat until the dough forms. Dust the figs with flour to prevent them from sticking together, and using a large spatula fold them into the dough.

Place the dough onto a work surface and knead until it comes together. Press the dough into a disc and refrigerate for about 1 to 2 hours, until firm.

Preheat the oven to 325° F convection bake (350° F regular bake).

Place the dough on parchment paper or a work surface dusted with flour, and roll it out to a 1/4-inch-thick round. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, stamp out the cookies and arrange them one inch apart on the baking sheets.

Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes until they are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack or flat surface to cool completely.

These were wonderful and the combination of fig and rosemary perfect with drinks. I did form the dough into a roll, wrapped in plastic, refrigerated till cold, then sliced and baked. I love them. Thanks for a great recipe.

Here is the verdict. Even though I had my mixer let me down at the very beginning, I still managed to prepare the dough ( with the fork!!!!!). Very nice taste at the end, but I want more friends to try it and hear their opinion!